Village turns on a real scorcher of a festival

UPPER Beaconsfield celebrated village life in style on Saturday, despite the 38degree heat.
The Village Festival, celebrated under the theme Explore our Village, Enjoy our Community, drew people to the streets of the town and through the open houses of the prekinda, Salisbury House, Upper Beaconsfield Community Centre, Indigenous Nursery and the Country Fire Authority station.
Locals and visitors took the opportunity to visit the festival, many using the event as a social catch up.
The festival was officially opened by Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato.
The Upper Beaconsfield Citizen of the Year award was announced at the festival.
Jenny Vaune, president of the Upper Beaconsfield Association, made the award jointly to Bob and Eleanore Taylor.
Last year’s recipient, Alison Ryan, presented the award.
According to organising committee member Maree Cullinan, the town was buzzing, with children enjoying the many activities including the jumping castle, animal nursery, maze, mini golf and an abseiling wall.
Many of the local clubs, organisations and some of the small businesses of Upper Beaconsfield held stalls in the Charing Cross area and the amusements were held at the Community Centre.
Both sites enjoyed music performed by the Berwick Youth Choir, Berwick Secondary College and the Beaconhills Guitar Band.
An art show run by the Community Centre allowed many students, young and old, to proudly display and offer for sale their works of art.
The Upper Beaconsfield Pony Club started their 30th birthday celebrations with a Trooping of the Colour through the festival sites on their way to the club grounds.